<p>//Mackinaw, what you say may be true,but wouldn’t a quality name such as RISD in design and FIT for fashion et al. would open more doors than going to a lesser known art program?//</p>
<p>Not really, an A.D. will likely go straight to the portfolio, then review the resume, and quite frankly they will look at experience before education as well. Portfolios, internships, and contacts open doors. Which is not to say that you cannot make connections through alumni associations, and if you are at RISD you will presently find a higher number of alums in more prominent positions than smaller or newer schools not in major metropolitan centers.</p>
<p>Taxguy, definitely there is some value in the diploma itself. My daughter says her RISD degree does matter, “opens doors” as you put it. But it’s far from a guarantee for numerous reasons. Students have different talents and tastes, and their accumulated work and capabilities as illustrated by their portfolios among other things (including other skills) come into play. In the realm of taste, for example, some of my daughter’s “ID” classmates at RISD were happy looking for positions in larger and established companies – e.g., one who went to work for a lighting design company. Others chose location first or started looking for opportunities to work with particular materials. I recall that the designer of that fabulous glass torch at the Salt Lake City Olympics was a RISD ID grad who was working for a company that designed large outdoor fountains (think Bellagio in Las Vegas, as one example). He used his talents in design but also, as he mentioned, in jewelry, of all things (how the bowl for the flame was “set” on the top of the glass tower).</p>
<p>In other words, granted that a student has demonstrable talent and excellent training (which can be basically inferred from the diploma at a particular school and her portfolio), she still has many choices to make. And she has to go out on the market and, as my daughter puts it, “promote herself” to find the type of work and work situation that interests her. Some jobs are going to use all your skills but offer less opportunity to be creative. Others are going to draw more on your secondary skills, or on skills that your college education didn’t emphasize. And so, for example, my daughter finds herself doing both ID and graphic design (GD); the latter was a secondary area for her though her overall skills in computer design come into play in both areas. I think rainingagain or some other poster made the point that if you are good in GD you will never go hungry.</p>
<p>To repeat, I do think where you got your degree matters, perhaps more for the first job than for later ones. It probably matters more in some fields (e.g., architecture) than in others. But this doesn’t completely define your opportunities or outcomes. I think students should enroll in the strongest program they can get into for this reason. But individual talent and tastes still matter a lot.</p>
<p>I do know that it’s your portfolio that gets you the job but I just want to be able to pick the schools that are going to help me get the best possible portfolio.I know I probably won’t be working for Pixar, Disney, Bluesky studios but it’d be cool if I could, as long as I make enough money to support myself, it doesn’t matter if it’s at a small firm or a big one. And I don’t know if I’d get the same jobs if i went to a University( have 2 as backups).</p>
<p>One factor that perhaps hasn’t been mentioned directly, but has been alluded to, is connections. My brother has worked for Disney and Warner Bros. (as well as several effects houses) and while they definitely want to hire people with talent, getting in the door and being considered for a job depends so much on personal links and relationships – perhaps more so in that industry than in most others.</p>
<p>This is also one reason why the school you choose can matter, either because your teachers have contacts or because the internships you may take allow you to get a headstart. My daughter is still early in her career but of the various job opportunities she has had most are from references and networks she has through school, other RISD alumni, or other designers she has met. Indeed you find out about many – perhaps most – opportunities through networks and contacts, not necessarily through regular job postings or recruiting. You like to think that in the end it’s your talent and work skills that matter to landing the job, and usually that’s true, but connnections and patronage and the like really matter to the process.</p>
<p>Taxguy ( and to others), what is it about Academy of art university that you don’t like?The program I want to major there is illustration/2d animation.</p>
<p>I’m a senior in High School and want to major in Interior Design!!! I’ve read about The Acadamy of Art University. The Acadamy of Art University is an art college created by artists, for artists. For this college, you don’t need prior experience or show your portfolio (if you have one, then do!). They believe that a good education in the arts involves having a strong foundation to start on…the buildings for each of the different majors are spread around San Francisco…it makes for a diverse place to possibly study. Of couse, it is accedited…if you need want more info, order the course packet…it is interesting just to look at the art inside!!! Better jet, go to the open house tomorrow @ the S. F. campus main building on New Montgomery street (from 10AM-4PM). I’m going to visit tomorrow…don’t forget to request info early…its free and provides useful info on thier mission and courses… Good Luck!</p>
<p>tthat’s why I 'm going to apply there as well. I don’t think I can swing going to the actual campus but they do offer online programs.and that’s only if i don’t get into the schools i really want to get into.</p>
<p>Just returned from a visit to MICA and will second Taxguy’s recommendation. Very Liberal Arts-centric for an art school. Campus was nice for an urban campus and merit scholarship money is available.</p>
<p>How are other schools, like Pennsylvania College of art and design? I might wanna go to a not so known school( I can do illustration and take animation electives)Anybody go to this school or know of people who got into "better "schools but chose Pennsylvania instead?</p>
<p>We visited the University of the Arts. Frankly, we were underwhelmed. </p>
<p>It may have some good programs,but it had some drawbacks. </p>
<p>First, they may have had the worst dorms that I have ever seen! They weren’t cleaned when we visited them, and the rooms were both very small and in very bad shape.</p>
<p>Second, there is no student center of any type for the kids. It was mainly one building for academics. Frankly, it really wasn’t impressive.</p>
<p>SV2, most interesting link to the article about Academy of Art University. My daughter is very interested in going there – she’s a soph now – and AAU is the only college on her list at the moment. I have mixed feelings, both about AAU as well as the whole idea of art school rather than a good LAC with an art major.</p>
<p>Roxygirl, what did you think after your visit?</p>
<p>Well, Moominmama, yes a very interesting article on AAU. My D is a freshman a SVA in NYC. She is quite happy with both her art classes and her liberal art classes. The tuition is pretty affordable at around 20k per year. But, like AAU, they seem to be making a killing on the dorms. My daughter is in a suite (3 doubles, 2 baths, a full kitchen and a very sparsely furnished common room) for around $1,100 a month or $6,600 total between her and roommates. Even in NYC $6,600 per month would get them a lot more than they have. We decided it was the right way to go for the first year, but we will be looking to have her move into an apartment for next September.</p>
<p>Can you tell a little bit about MICA location - city, safety, etc.
Also, did you consider RISD and how would you compare it to MICA?
Did you attend a Pre-College program at MICA, RISD or somewhere else?</p>